Guide for UK shops · checked 9 October 2026
US import duty for UK Etsy sellers
Every parcel you send to a US buyer now pays US duty, whatever its value, and Etsy makes you pay it up front. Here's how much it is and how to set US prices so a US sale earns you the same as a UK one.
What changed
- 29 August 2025: the US ended duty-free entry for parcels under $800 from every country. A £10 sticker order now pays duty like a £500 one.
- 9 July 2026: Etsy started requiring non-US shops to prepay US duty (delivered duty paid, or DDP) through the label or carrier, so the buyer isn't hit with a bill at the door.
- 24 July 2026: the temporary 10% surcharge ended and a 10% Section 301 tariff replaced it the same day for most countries, the UK included. It has no end date.
How much duty a UK item pays
For goods made in the UK, US duty is the normal US rate for the product plus 10%, charged on the price the US buyer pays. The normal rate depends on the item's tariff code (HTS):
| Item | Normal rate | Total from the UK |
|---|---|---|
| Art prints, cards, stickers, books | 0% | 10% |
| Candles, soap, skincare | 0% | 10% |
| Sterling silver jewellery | 5% | 15% |
| Wooden signs and kitchenware | 3.2% | 13.2% |
| Ceramic mugs and plates | 9.8% | 19.8% |
| Fashion jewellery (base metal) | 11% | 21% |
| Cotton T-shirts and jumpers | 16.5% | 26.5% |
Starting estimates from the US tariff schedule. Always confirm your exact code at hts.usitc.gov. Goods made outside the UK pay the rate for the country they were made in, not where you ship from.
Worked examples
These assume Etsy's 6.5% transaction fee plus about 4% UK payment processing, and a £2 duty-handling charge on a Royal Mail or Parcelforce DDP label. The "new US price" keeps your take-home the same as a UK sale.
| Listing | UK price | Lost per US sale if you don't change it | New US price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver necklace (15%) | £30.00 | £6.50 | £38.73 |
| Stoneware mug (19.8%) | £22.00 | £6.36 | £31.12 |
| A4 art print (10%) | £15.00 | £3.50 | £19.41 |
The new price is higher than "price plus duty" because duty and Etsy's fees are both charged on the higher US price. That's why simply adding 10% leaves most sellers short.
How to set your US prices on Etsy
- Find each product's tariff code and normal rate (the free checker below suggests one from your listing text).
- Check what your label adds for prepaying duty. Postal DDP labels usually add a small fixed fee; UPS and DHL can charge around US$15 to $17 per shipment.
- Work out the US price that keeps your take-home the same, then set it as the US price for the listing and every variation.
- If you sell lots of cheap items, encourage bundles. The handling fee is per parcel, so it costs less per item when buyers order several.
Common questions
Can my US buyer pay the duty instead? Not on Etsy any more. Etsy requires duty to be prepaid so buyers aren't surprised by a charge at delivery.
Does the UK–US trade deal make UK goods duty-free? No. It mainly covers cars, steel and aerospace. Handmade and small-batch goods pay the normal rate plus 10%.
Will it change again? US tariffs changed four times in the last year. Recheck your prices whenever a new rate is announced.
Shipping to Europe too? Since 1 July 2026 each product type in an EU parcel under €150 pays €3. Check EU parcels.